Idaho Youth Ranch thrift store in CdA relocating

Idaho Youth Ranch has started work to relocate its Coeur d’Alene thrift store, and may soon open a second North Idaho thrift store in Post Falls.

The store – one of 24 the nonprofit group runs in Idaho – raises money for the organizations’ work to help at-risk youth. In Coeur d’Alene that work takes place at Anchor House, a residential treatment program that serves about 35 teenage boys each year for crime, substance abuse and mental health problems.

“Anchor House is the only facility of its kind in the five northern counties,” said Idaho Youth Ranch Development Director Roberta Rene. “Care involves the family, so having care near families is important.”

Without Anchor House, teenage boys needing residential treatment would have to go to Spokane, she said.

Thrift stores are an important fundraising mechanism for Idaho Youth Ranch’s work.

Idaho Youth Ranch’s current Coeur d’Alene store is at 811 N. Fourth Street. The new store will open in mid-December just up the street at 845 N. Fourth Street.

The new store will be one-quarter larger than the existing store, with 7,600 square feet of floor space for used furniture, clothing and other items. Until the new store opens, the current store will continue to operate and accept donations.

Rene said that the organization each year raises about $1.5 million of its $8 million budget through thrift store sales.

Most of the group’s treatment facilities and thrift stores are in southern Idaho, but there is the potential for more in North Idaho.

A new Post Falls thrift store would help make operations in this part of the state more efficient. And the Idaho Youth Ranch is looking at expanding nonresidential substance abuse counseling offerings in the five northern counties.

“The need is greater than our ability to serve,” Rene said.